THE COIJNS OR BOB WiriTES. 14 I 



Range. — Island of Cuba ; Isle of Pines. It is also reported 

 from Porto Rieo."' 



Habits. — Dr. Jean (lundlaeh, who is intimately acquainted 

 with the habits of this species, says that the " Codorniz " is only 

 met with towards the outskirts of the forest, and inhabits the 

 extensive prairies in the most westerly part of the Island of 

 Cuba. The flight of the bird is neither high nor protracted, 

 but straight and swift ; it rises with rapid beats of the wing, 

 which become less laboured when the bird is well on the wing, 

 or are sometimes entirely suspended, the wings being merely 

 widely extended. When the flight is caused by approaching 

 danger, the different birds of the flock or covey separate from 

 each other, and settle some way off in different places, some- 

 times running for a little distance. When the danger has dis- 

 appeared, all reassemble at the call of the leader of the flock. 

 If the panic has been caused by dogs, the birds fly on to the 

 nearest tree, where they crouch on a horizontal branch, and 

 remain motionless as long as the dog stays under the tree or 

 barks. They may then, if approached with caution, be caught 

 by means of a loop made of horse-hair or strong thread fastened 

 to a long slender pole. If the flock takes flight without being 

 scared by any danger, the different members all fly together. 



They search for their food on the ground, picking up various 

 kinds of seeds, and sometimes berries or young leaves. Should 

 they anticipate any danger whilst thus employed, a murmuring 

 sound is heard, and they run with raised crest, outstretched 

 necks, and outspread tails to a place of safety. Their call-notes 

 vary somewhat, according to circumstances. In the mating- 

 season, when the members of a flock are already paired or 

 scattered about, the cock perches on a branch, stump of a tree, 

 post, stone, or a large clod of earth, and summons his mate 

 with two or three notes, the third being quickly or loudly 

 uttered, and the hen answers. The cocks often fight with each 



* It is possible that the following notes by Dr. J. Gundlach may refer to 

 the Florida Colin, which has apparently ];cen introduced into Cuba. 



